on his tomb; for she destroyed him, and brought him to Troy.  But if some captive selected from the rest, and excelling in beauty, ought to die, this is not ours.  For the daughter of Tyndarus is most preeminent in beauty, and has been found to be no less injurious than us.  On the score of justice then I urge this argument; but with respect to what you ought to repay at my demand, hear:  thou hast touched my hand, as thou ownest, and this aged cheek also, falling at my knees.  Thy hand and knees I in return grasp, and re-demand the favor I granted you then, and beseech you, do not tear my child from my arms, nor kill her; enough have died already.  In her I rejoice, and forget my misfortunes; she serves as my consolation in the stead of many things, she is my city, my nurse, my staff, the guide of my way.  It becomes not those who have power to exercise their power in things wherein they ought not, nor should the fortunate imagine their fortune will last forever.  For I too have had my time of prosperity, but now have I ceased to be:  one day wrenched from me all my happiness.  But by thy beard which I supplicate, reverence me, pity me; go to the Grecian army, and remind them that it is a shameful thing to slay women whom ye have once spared, and that too dragging them from the altar.  But show mercy.  But the laws of blood among you are laid down alike for the free and the slave.  But your worth will carry with it persuasion, although your arguments be bad; for the same words from those of little character, have not the same force as when they proceed from those of high reputation.

Chor.  There is no nature of man so obdurate, which on hearing thy groans, and thy long plaints of misery, would not let fall the tear.

ULYSS.  Hecuba, be advised, nor through passion deem him thine enemy who gives thee good advice.  I indeed am ready to preserve thy person through the means of which I was fortunate; and I say no other.  But what I declared before all I will not deny, that, Troy being captured, we should give thy daughter as a victim to the noblest man of the army, who demands her; for in this many cities fail, when any man who is brave and zealous receives no more honor than those who are less valiant.  But Achilles, O lady, is worthy of honor from us, a man who died most gloriously in behalf of the Grecian country.  Were not then this disgraceful, if when living we treat him as a friend, but after he is gone we no longer treat him so?  Well! what then will any one say, if there again should be an assembling of the army, and a contest with the enemy:  “Shall we fight or preserve our lives, seeing that he who falls lies unhonored?” But for me at least, living from day to day, although I have but little, that little is sufficient; but I would wish that my monument should be beheld crowned with honor, for the gratification is for a long time.  But if thou sayest thou sufferest affliction, hear this in return from me.  There are with us aged